This course will give you the skills, understanding and knowledge needed to pursue an animal-related career, such as working in a zoo, becoming a veterinary nurse, working in conservation, animal welfare inspector, animal trainer or even as an animal nutritional scientist designing pet food.
You will cover the core theoretical and practical areas of working within animal businesses and be able to contextualise the captive environments for animals to their wild counterparts. You will take part in research, investigation, analysis and interpretation of many subject areas within the world of Animal Science. This will prepare you to be ready to jump straight into your first animal-related job or to progress into Higher Education to further enhance your prospects within the sector.

The course comprises a mixture of taught lessons, practical animal care sessions and laboratory-based activities. You will also engage in at least 150 hours (per year) of work experience and have further opportunities to learn from trips and visits during the course to develop a wide understanding of Ecology, Conservation, Zoological Science as well as Farming in the UK.

Our animal department has recently undergone a redevelopment in excess of £200,000, and houses over 50 different animal species across all the taxonomic groups, ranging from Degu's, Rabbits, Tenrecs, Newts, Toads, Tomato Frogs and Iguanas, to Snakes, Insects, Spiders and Scorpions.

Extended Diplomas have two one-year programmes. You need to finish the first year before moving on to the second.